Biblical Shalom for Sustainable Holistic Transformational Development in Nigeria

Stephen Z. Yashim

Description

How do Christian organizations, engaged in development work, effectively facilitate the holistic transformation of communities?
In this important contribution to the field, Dr. Stephen Yashim reviews the participatory, problem-solving approaches commonly utilized by Christian relief and development organizations in Nigeria. Dr. Yashim highlights the failure of current methods to facilitate dialogue between the biblical worldview with its divine, transformative potential, and the worldview of local rural communities. In order for rural communities to progressively experience biblical shalom – the total well-being of the whole and its members – they must be equipped to examine and articulate their own perspective on development while also engaging with biblical perspectives.
Dr. Yashim proposes an alternative approach of “participatory appreciative dialogue” to be used alongside more traditional methods in pursuit of community transformation. This is an excellent resource for anyone engaged in community development and transformation, and who longs to experience biblical shalom poured out among individuals and communities.

Informations

• Publié par: Langham Creative Projects
• Date de parution: 04 janvier 2021
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781839732034
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

The quest for a holistic transformation of rural communities through a sustainable framework in Africa has indeed been a challenge over the years. A participatory appreciative dialogue approach has been developed by Stephen Z. Yashim as a working and sustainable method for holistic rural community development to facilitate the application of biblical shalom. His qualitative engagements with the sampled participants during the data collection and the results obtained afterward have proven beyond reasonable doubt that the proposed framework is worth adopting as a supplement to the existing frameworks that are still not yielding adequate results. I am convinced Yashim’s model in this book is relevant for the African context. Hence, the rural communities will get involved in meaningful services with biblical guidance for their own development, and they will appreciate and feel recognized for their contributions with the help of God almighty.
Dr. Ruth Enoch Adamu
Department of Arts Education (Religion Education),
University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
I highly recommend this practical book with its detailed case studies for any Christian who wants to improve their work in community development. As a result of this innovative approach in two Nigerian villages, using appreciative inquiry and dialogue with the biblical narrative, each community mobilized and accomplished a project using their local resources. I will also use this book as a handy reference when I need a summary of the theories of global and community development, theologies of development and missio Dei , analysis of worldviews, and the concepts of biblical shalom.
Mary S. Crickmore
West Africa Ministry Team Leader,
World Renew
Rev. Dr. Stephen Yashim’s research Biblical Shalom for Sustainable Holistic Transformational Development in Nigeria is not only relevant to the Nigerian context but addresses a global phenomenon. The study which advocates for an application of biblical shalom by means of participatory dialogue with the biblical worldview for sustainable transformation of rural communities was born out of shortcomings of the traditional approaches to human needs which were based on mere relief and not transformation.
The study is well presented, logical, and coherent. The necessary and relevant concepts are well researched and discussed regarding developments within the field of community development. I have read this work with great excitement. It is commendable for academic and practical use by promoters of human dignity.
Ephraim Yoms, PhD
Director, People Oriented Development,
Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA),
Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Biblical Shalom for Sustainable Holistic Transformational Development in Nigeria
A Study of Two Rural Communities in North Central Nigeria
Stephen Z. Yashim

© 2020 Stephen Z. Yashim
Published 2020 by Langham Global Library
An imprint of Langham Publishing
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ISBNs:
978-1-83973-054-2 Print
978-1-83973-203-4 ePub
978-1-83973-204-1 Mobi
978-1-83973-205-8 PDF
Stephen Z. Yashim has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.
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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan.
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN: 978-1-83973-054-2
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
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This study is dedicated to:
Rev. Barje Maigadi, PhD, of ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, who introduced me to the theology of development with passion.
Mary Crickmore, of World Renew, who inspired my interest to facilitate transformational development in rural communities.
Rev. Idowu Akintola, PhD, of New Estate Baptist Church, Abuja, who influenced my final decision to pursue the PhD program.
Sa’adatu S. Yashim, my wife, who has and is still sacrificially supporting me holistically.
Contents

Cover


Foreword


Acknowledgments


Abstract


Abbreviations


Chapter 1 Introduction


Definition of Key Terms


Research Problem


Research Question


Background of the Study


Purpose and Objectives of the Study


Importance of the Study


Limitations and Delimitations


Conclusion


Chapter 2 Literature Review


Introduction


Emergence of Global Development Theories


Community Development


Theology of Development


Biblical Metanarrative


Missio Dei


Biblical Shalom


The Practice of Holistic Development by Three Selected Christian Relief and Development Organizations in Nigeria


Homogeneous Rural Communities


Analyzing a Worldview


Appreciative Dialogue


Summary


Chapter 3 Methodology


Introduction


Theological Framework


Research Design


Research Methodology


Study Area


Research Population


Data Collection Technique and Procedure


Research Tool


Conceptual Framework for Data Analysis


Biblical Metanarrative as Normative Framework of Evaluation


Chapter 4 Data Presentation


Introduction


Communities’ Self-Identity


Communities’ Goals and Aspirations


Communities’ Decisions


Communities’ Actions and Outcomes


Communities’ Feedback


Summary


Chapter 5 Data Analysis


Introduction


Biblical Worldview on Transformational Development


Communities’ Worldview on Development


Biblical Transformation of Kurmin Gwaza and Kurmin Jatau Communities’ Worldview on Development


Application of Biblical Shalom through the Participatory Appreciative Dialogue in Rural Communities


Summary


Contribution of This Study


Chapter 6 Summary, Conclusion, Implications, and Recommendations of the Study


Introduction


Summary of the Study


Conclusion of the Study


Implications of the Study


Recommendations for Further Study


Bibliography


About Langham Partnership

Endnotes
Foreword
A new field of study has gradually emerged seeking to unify the sacred and secular; human environment and religious contexts; as well as development principles and faith convictions. This kind of development is not new in historic Africa; but the coming of Christianity left a gap that was filled by historic religious views of adherents. A return of this field of study is therefore a welcome idea that effectively fills such void.
This field of study has come in various forms such as inter-disciplinary research like religious study (theology) with social sciences. One of the efforts in this direction in Nigeria was made popular by Professor Emeritus Adetoye Faniran who brought theology and geography together, establishing an academic body called “Sacred Earth Ministry.” One of his monographs, Tenants on Earth , captured the context of this inter-disciplinary perpective. It sought to affirm that the world is created by God and its management needs to take God’s plan and purpose for creating into cognizance for sustenance of the earth.
This study by Rev. Dr. Stephen Zahiop Yashim takes another dimension. It seeks to harmonize the biblical worldview and socio-religio-cultural perspectives as they relate to community development, resulting in the transformation of the society holistically. The study affirms the responsibility of the people to their sustatined development, and the role the Bible plays in transforming attitudes toward nature and the human environment.
This study achieves its objective in affirm